THE number of 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) recipients has increased to seven million since it was introduced in 2012, proof that the programme has failed to lift the underprivileged out of poverty, says opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

“This shows that of more than 18 million Malaysians above 21 years old, 38% of them remain in the lower income group and in poverty,” she said.

The Pakatan Harapan president said the programme could only be seen as successful if it were to reduce the number of recipient every year.

But the numbers showed the opposite.

“The increase in recipients shows us that the economic policy introduced by Pekan MP (Najib Razak) to eradicate poverty and uplift low-income earners shows his administration’s failure to address the issue,” Dr Wan Azizah said.

Dr Wan Azizah said because of the government’s failure, the people had to decide wisely in the next general election.

BR1M is a cash handout programme for low-income groups, comprising about a quarter of the population.

This is the first time that allocations under the policy were not increased or widened to include more people since it was introduced in 2012.

Malaysia has a self-imposed debt ceiling of 55% of gross domestic product, and the government said it will remain within the limit in 2018, even as expenditure rises.

The fiscal deficit for next year is projected at 2.8% of GDP, down from 3% in fiscal year 2017. – October 30, 2017.